Strictly star Dr Punam Krishan, known for her performances on Strictly Come Dancing with partner Gorka Marquez, is now extending her influence beyond the dancing world. She has joined forces with the mental health charity HeadStrong from Glasgow to support a new initiative aimed at helping schoolchildren cope with mental health issues.
Dr Krishan’s involvement in the program, called It’s A Mental Health Thing, marks a significant shift in her outreach efforts. The initiative, developed in partnership with the Health and Wellbeing team at Renfrewshire Authorities, aims to enhance Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education in schools through a series of engaging videos, expert-led content, and interactive activities tailored for both primary and secondary students.
In addition to Dr Krishan, Scottish Olympian Jemma Reekie has also lent her support to the mental health program. Reekie, who has faced her own mental health challenges while striving for athletic excellence, shared her personal journey at the launch of It’s A Mental Health Thing. She emphasised the crucial role of mental health support in her path to becoming a world-class athlete.
One of the key objectives of the program is to alleviate the burden on teachers when delivering effective PSHE lessons. By providing pre-made videos, interactive resources, and lesson plans, It’s A Mental Health Thing aims to streamline the teaching process, allowing educators to focus on facilitating meaningful discussions and providing personalised support to students.
Lynn Harris, PT Pupil Support at Gleniffer High School, praised the program, calling it a “game changer” that offers relevant and essential mental health resources for today’s teenagers. Statistics show that in Scotland, 20 young people each day do not receive the necessary support for their mental health issues. HeadStrong recognises the urgent need for enhanced mental health education to bridge the gap between young people experiencing difficulties and seeking help.
Brian Costello, Director of HeadStrong, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme, describing it as a long-awaited passion project that has the potential to positively impact the lives of young individuals. The launch of It’s A Mental Health Thing represents a significant milestone in providing comprehensive mental health education to Scottish schools, paving the way for better support and awareness around mental well-being among students.